Awaited ordinances approvedDOVER -- Two long-pending and discussed ordinances finally received their last readings and approvals from the Dover City Council at its monthly meeting Sep. 20. The first amended previous statutes by adjusting the days surrounding the Independence Day and New Year holidays upon which fireworks could be bought and used and the hours within those days in which this could be done. The second established regulation of door to door commercial sale...

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BY STEVE LEAVELL
sleavell@cswnet.comThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

Store robbed at gunpointThe Pope County Sheriffâ€â ˘s Office (PCSO) said Wednesday that the Dollar General Store at 7350 State Highway 124 was robbed at gunpoint Tuesday night. A press release stated a store clerk said she attempted to lock the door at the close of business at approximately 10 p.m. when two black men, early 20s and dressed in all black and wearing blue bandanas, pointed a gun at her and demanded money. She and the other employee were forced to open t...

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Courier Staff ReportsThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

See You at the PoleFOR THE COURIER / Joshua Mashon Community Christian School hosted this year's See You at the Pole at the Pope County Courthouse steps in downtown Russellville Wednesday morning. The student-led event consisted of worship and prayer for the world, nation and community. Pastor Jeff Walchshauser concluded the event with a special prayer over local law enforcement and firefighters who were also in attendance.

ATU attracts high-caliber freshman class for 2016An accomplished and prepared freshman class highlights Arkansas Tech University preliminary fall 2016 enrollment figures released on Sept. 8 following the 11th class day of the semester. The 1,591 freshmen on the Russellville campus of Arkansas Tech for fall 2016 completed high school with a cumulative grade point average of 3.33. Their average ACT score was 22.4, exceeding both the state (20.2) and national (20.8) averages on that exam. "As t...

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By SAM STRASNER
arkansastechnews.comThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

Report: All signatures for lawsuits measure could be tossedBy ANDREW DeMILLO, Associated Press LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — A retired judge appointed by the Arkansas Supreme Court to review petitions submitted for a measure limiting medical lawsuit damages said Wednesday that all of the approved signatures could be invalidated, a move that would disqualify the measure from the November ballot. The campaign behind the proposed constitutional amendment didn't certify in writing that its paid canvassers had ...

Arkansas deputy identified in fatal shooting of armed manLITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — An Arkansas sheriff's deputy who shot and killed a man who refused to drop a shotgun has been identified as Deputy Joe Oberle. The Pulaski County Sheriff's Department released Oberle's name and employment history Wednesday. Sheriff's office spokesman Capt. Carl Minden says Oberle has been placed on paid leave during an investigation into the shooting near Little Rock. A homeowner reported a man was standing on her porc...

Obituary: Dorothy WootenDorothy Coley Wooten, 84, of Russellville, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2016. She was born Nov. 4, 1931, in Atkins, to Clay Coley and Zora Cross Coley. She is preceded in death by her parents; one sister and six brothers. She is survived by her loving husband of 63 years, Howard Wooten; five children, Andy Scissell, Karen Scissell, Connie Gurney, Van Wooten and Nathan Gurney; special granddaughter and caregiver, Dondie Allen; fourteen grandc...

Obituary: Terry D. SarverTerry D. Sarver, husband of Nan G. Sarver, passed away on Sept. 27, 2016, at Arkansas Hospice River Valley Home. Arrangements are by Shinn Funeral Service of Russellville. A complete obituary will be published in a future edition of The Courier. It will be available online at www.shinnfuneral.com.

Obituary: Rodney WilliamsDARDANELLE — Rodney Eugene Williams, age 49, of Vilonia, formerly of Dardanelle, died Monday, Sept. 26, 2016, at UAMS in Little Rock. He was born March 10, 1967, at Fort Worth, Texas, to Dale Eugene Williams Sr. and Dura Nell Graham. He attended the Conway First Baptist Church, loved riding motorcycles, going fishing and just being in the outdoors. Most of all he loved spending time with his family, especially his grandson. He was preceded in ...

Obituary: Caroline MosleyCLARKSVILLE — Caroline Jeanne Mosley of Clarksville, age 32, passed away Sept. 26, 2016, in Little Rock. She was born Oct. 26, 1983, in Clarksville. She was a security guard and a graduate of Arkansas Tech University. She is preceded in death by her father, Dr. George Taylor III. She is survived by her husband, Thomas Arthur Mosley of Clarksville; her mother, Rosanna King Taylor of Clarksville; and two brothers, J.J. Taylor of Clarksville and ...

Obituary: Glenda FergusonPARIS — Glenda Elizabeth Ferguson, who resided in Fort Smith, passed away Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, at her home. She was born Sept. 27, 1954, in Memphis, Tenn., to the late Floyd and Sadie (Jones) Green. She was almost 62 years old. She was preceded in death by her adopted parents, Harley and Lena Maude (Sellars) Wood; one brother, Jimmy Green Johnson; her half-brother, Jeff Worley; and one sister, Patricia Green. Glenda was a homemaker. She pre...

Obituary: Mary Jane DavisATKINS — Mary Jane Davis, 76, of Pottsville, went to be with the Lord, Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2016, at her home surrounded by her family. She was born March 26, 1940, in Pottsville, daughter of the late Loyal and Vida Mae Harkey Judkins. She was a member of the Bethel Assembly of God Church. She is survived by her husband, Richard Davis; three daughters, Denise and husband Randy Bradley, Janine and husband Earl Helton, and Brenda and husband Alvin...

Police: Kidnapped Jonesboro store employee found deadJONESBORO, Ark. (AP) — A store supervisor who was recently robbed at gunpoint and abducted has been found dead near an interstate in Poinsett County, police said. Jonesboro Police Department Capt. Lynn Waterworth said the body of 45-year-old Loretta Ann Pixler of Jonesboro was found early Monday along Interstate 555, about 2 miles west of Marked Tree. The Dollar Tree assistant manager was abducted Sunday evening as she and another store employ...

New, used home sales up in Pope, Johnson CountyLITTLE ROCK — Statistics released by the Arkansas Realtors Association (ARA) indicated that new and used residential home sales totaled 76 for the month of July 2016, three more than June but less than the 87 sold in July 2015. Through seven months of the year, 429 new and used homes have been sold in Pope County, compared to 442 sold during the same period in 2015, a decrease of nearly 3 percent. In Johnson County, however, new and used resid...

Bond hearingsThe following individual appeared in felony bond hearings on Monday. His name, age, anticipated charges and bond amounts are listed. He will appear in Pope County Cicuit Court at a later date. â ˘ Steven D. Payne, 34, failure to appear -- $200,000.

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BY TRAVIS SIMPSON
simpson@couriernews.comThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

Man arrested after fight over necklaceJames E. Reid, 26, is facing domestic battery charges after allegedly punching and choking a woman over a necklace. Reid was arrested on Saturday after officers responded to a residence in the area of the 17,000 block of U.S. Highway 64 in reference to a physical disturbance with injury. Dispatch advised the suspect had left the scene and was headed toward Blackwell. According to a police report provided by the Pope County Sheriff's Office (PC...

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BY TRAVIS SIMPSON
simpson@couriernews.comThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

Ola discusses fun park grantOLA — The Ola City Council met Monday to discuss updates on a fun park grant and to review the animal control ordinance the city has in place. Ronald Osterhout, council member, said the council discussed the fun park grant they received from the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism for $45,000 to improve Ola City Park. Osterhout said the city contacted John Doyle with Harbor Engineering in Little Rock, who did their specs, to ask if the ci...

CVE Watch D.O.G.S.THE COURIER / Submitted A Watch D.O.G.S. kick-off event was recently held at Center Valley Elementary School. Dads, father figures and students enjoyed Sonic hot dogs, chips and cookies. Mike Cloud, CVE Top Dog, made a presentation about Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) and gave the history on the program, which was created in 1998 at George Elementary School in Springdale and has spread to more than 5,348 schools in over 47 states. Dad...